I booked my Rental Car through Bestfares.com, and got a great rate ($41/day for a Toyota Venza). The website said that individual locations may have additional rules and requirements, and I felt I had read the link provided carefully. I had inadvertantly left my credit card on my work desk, although I know the number by heart. I did, however, have a debit card with me.
When I arrived in Wyoming, I took the Dollar shuttle to the off-airport location, where the rental agent informed me that I could only use my debit card if I purchased the additional insurance @ 34.99/day - nearly doubling my rental. I could not, she said, only provide the cc number - she needed to have the card in hand.
I actually had my insurance card with me, and my car insurance covers Rental vehicles. However, the agent said this was their policy, and pointed to a crumpled, laser printed sign tacked to the wall saying "Credit Cards Only".
I explained that I had read the Dollar policy online, stating specifically that debit card users may be subject to a credit check (I have been through this before at the Dollar in Salt Lake City), but nowhere saying that the Rental Collision insurance would be required. I asked to take the shuttle back to the airport to use one of the on-property agencies, and the lady said I could "call a cab", but that the shuttles were for customers only!
I needed the rental car for business travel, a cab back to the airport would have cost me a small fortune, and I was tired and eager to get on the road - so I grudgingly paid the insurance fee.
Dollar Rent A Car - you should know how your franchises are treating customers - it's a ripoff!
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